This coming week is the 2nd week of the 4th month of training. It is characterized by a lot of strength work, and a fair amount of distance and intensity. First summer rollerski biathlon race of the year at Elk River is on Thursday late afternoon/ eve. Please let me know if you are coming, I am working on a start list.

You should be putting in at least 4 roller ski workouts this week. Race on Thurs, a over distance ski of over 2 hrs earlier in the week with some hard sprints thrown in, a specific strength [double pole 10km + legs only 10km] and a Threshold block workout next weekend after some recovery from the race on Thursday. Other activities that are good will be lifting a couple of times, biking standing up, a few short hill runs with poles, and some swim time for cool downs…check your time plans for a time goal.

The schedule for the Nisswa area for the week will be:
Tues 1:00 at the range—some might be late, get there when you can—accuracy, range procedure and some hard combos running.
Thurs- lv Nisswa at 1:45 for ER. Pickup in LF at Holiday at 2:30. Arr ER at 4:00—help set up—zero at 5:00 race at 6:00 or a bit earlier depending on numbers and how zero goes.

Please get your logs up to date—and if you have some gaps earlier in the year—go back and estimate what you did that week. An estimate is better than a blank. For those sharing with me, I will check in on your log, for those not, please forward your current updates to me.

Enjoy the Journey! Hope to see you on Thursday at Elk River! I am expecting we will end up with around 12-15 participants, mostly newcomers. So don’t feel bashful!!

Please note the above schedule is subject to changes. Normally about 2 weeks ahead of the event an “Invitation” will be sent out by email. Please respond to those so the organizers can plan for the appropriate number of participants.

The Camps are designed for younger athletes—generally age 13-25. Those older are invited to all the races, and to participate in the camps as coaches or coach/parents.

This camp will focus on developing biathlon shooting skills- position, accuracy drills, and combo training for athletes that have varying experience in biathlon. Volume training, rollerskiing, running, as well as strength and technique work.

New athletes: 14 years and older must be a good skier – perfect camp, if you are serious about biathlon. Shooting (including rifle set up) focused on accuracy, practicing both positions – prone and standing, developing good position and range procedure, accuracy shooting, combo shooting.

What to bring:
We will be camping at Mt. Itasca therefore you will need a camping gear tent, mat /air mattress, sleeping bag, pillow. Option is also sleeping in the wax room.
You will need rifle, 1 brick of ammo (some ammo will be available to buy at the camp), running shoes, and several sets of training clothing. Also, skate rollerski equipment, helmet, water bottle carrier. Bring some rain gear and also a pair of thin ski gloves for shooting. Bug spray may be a good idea as well. On Saturday there will be a rollerski race and on Sunday a Running Biathlon Race

Below is the MNBiathlon Membership form for this year. Please note: this membership runs from May to May. Also below is the USBA membership which normally runs from Oct to Oct, but if you are planning on attending camps or races before Oct, and are not a current member of USBA, you will need to join now. Our insurance program comes from USBA.

For those in the Twin Cities area, we have 3 options for you. Simple outstate membership with no use of the Elk River facility except for races; membership plus use of the ER facility, but not the new TC Club training program; or the full program including once a week coaching until Labor Day.

Attached is the membership form for MNBiathlon for the 2015/2016 year. This membership is due in the spring of each year. The USBA National Membership comes due in Oct. If you are going to participate in biathlon this season in MN you should be a member. To participate in any MNBiathlon races you need to be a member. Donations are always appreciated!!

The fees are used to support athletes, maintain the ranges, and this year in particular, to repair and upgrade our club rifles.

Please take care of this today, and mail it to me at the address below. Checks should be made to MN Biathlon.